On November 22, 2017, the Russian baritone Dmitri Alexandrovich Hvorostovsky died at the age of 55 after suffering through brain cancer. He is renowned for his rich vocal tones, his striking white hair, and his compelling presence as he portrayed lead characters on the opera stage. In the wake of his passing, I was invited to write a lyrical poem that paid tribute to this gifted musician. Thus, I gathered words and thoughts from news articles, reviews, and the outpouring of condolences offered by mourners across the globe. I listened to recordings of Dmitriʼs performances and was stunned by the power of his voice. It is out of this abundance that the poem “We Say Farewell” took shape. Michalis Andronikou (Associate Professor of Composition) welcomed my poem and composed music for the lyrics. “We Say Farewell” is a collaborative piece offered in remembrance of Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
Michalis Andronikou: We Say Farewell, In memory of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, for Baritone and Piano
